bdyman

iam having a small problem with my alero, its a 03 alero with the 2.2 ecotec, and iam constantly throwing p0420 code, now keep in mind the car sat for 3 yrs, when i finished the car i tuned it up, let it run out of gas in the garage, filled it up with fresh gas, and its been fine up to 2 weeks ago

my mechanic told me it could be a vacum leak and or stuck injector, now iam leaving for lansing michigan next thursday morning, so i kinda need this fixed before i leave

iam unemployed dont have allot of money but i can do work for you iam a body fender tech, so you fix my car i can fix something on your car kinda deal???
my mechanic is raping me with prices what a dick! so anyone??
thanks

BassProCamaro97

iTrader: (10)

P0420 is a code for the catalitc converter.

The computer/ O2 sensor is reading below the stock efficency level. Could be a couple of things. Bad cat or bad O2 sensor possibly an exhaust leak.

Where in Chicago are you located?

~Jim~

94 s dime

iTrader: (10)

check the rear 02 for leaks or leaks anywhere. than if that doesnt fix it, your probably looking at buying a convertor

bdyman

iam in cicero, after driving on the highway the cat is not cherry red i dont smell sulfur, i dont have a vacum leak, if its just a rear 02 sensor i can do that no one else on here can take a look at my car??

birdmaro

iTrader: (45)

its not a vacuum leak. its not an 02 sensor. 02 sensors on ur car will throw codes...

p0131-p0141

and..

i think p1133 and p1134

ur cat ain't performin right.

TurboTomski

iTrader: (2)

i had the same code....its the cat

94 s dime

iTrader: (10)

according to diagnostic procedures, check for the leaks, if none found than proceed with replacing cats

bdyman

****!!!!!!
well there is no way i can afford replacing the cat right now no ****** way, if i replace the rear 02 sensor, am i A. wasting my money B. going to ****** my car up driving 3 hours if i dont replace the cat

weaklt1

iTrader: (11)

you can drive it for quite some time with a bad cat. why replace the o2's if they are not the problem?

bdyman

from other research people are saying it is the 02 sensor, so i dunno what to do, if it is the cat then i have no choice but to drive it,

weaklt1

iTrader: (11)

you can drive it with bad o2's also

deadhorse66

iTrader: (2)

It isn't an HO2S. You need a cat, but if it isn't hindering the performance of the car, you can drive it all you want. My truck has been setting the same dtc for 2 years now.

birdmaro

iTrader: (45)

just cut a hole in front of the cat...


then no worries :-)

bdyman

lol oh god lol
no car has a header on it into 2.5 pipe into a glass pack, its real loud, and no performance loss at all, so the guy above you is a gm tech would it hurt my car if i drove it like it is 3 hours?? or what if i did this iam sure the gm tech would laugh
replced the 02 sensors
dropped in a bottle of lucas fuel injector cleaner
replce the starter
i filled up with 93 octance fresh gas
fix my tire, and i should be good to go sound cool?

99WS7

iTrader: (13)

^ are you on drugs?

bdyman

wut makes me on drugs?? i asked a question i guess not huh

94 s dime

iTrader: (10)

id take the cat off and break the **** inside of it out if its a personal vehicle. you will have cel on but, its better than it getting completely clogged and leaving you stranded

f-bodyguy

iTrader: (9)

word!!!lol thats what i would do(actually did do)

bdyman

thank you for helping i do appreciate it
but like i said my funds are very very tight, my exhuast on the car is custom made from the header back, 2. my exhaust guy wouldnt do that he would put on a new cat for 200 bucks, and when your unemployed and a single dad, funds are very limited right now

and no iam not on drugs, i asked a simple question, did you not read my oringinal post?? iam UNEMPLOYED!!! A SINGLE DAD!! RASING A CHILD BY MY SELF, NO ONE TO HELP ME, NO INCOME COMING IN RIGHT NOW!!! so for me thats a cheaper route right now, doesnt make me on drugs doesnt make me a dumb ***, iam a body fender man, not completetly stupid

i do appreciate the help guys i know its not some big *** v8 or a f-body or a vette, but its mine and its paid for, just wondering if what i posted before i was told i was on drugs, if it would be cool??

00ssmg

iTrader: (4)

if it is a cat efficency code it is the cat and any car under 8 years old or 80,000 miles the converter is under factory warranty. this is an epa law. call any chevy dealer they will confirm. they will tell you that there is a diag. fee and if they find its a bad cat which they will its really the only thing it can be they will wave the fee and replace the cat free of charge. i worked at a midas for 6 years and this was a common issue with alot of cars. Just make sure code description is cat efficency and call the dealer. let me know how it goes.